Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said two state-led projects — Nagpur to Mumbai super expressway and a new port at Wadhwan — will “change the landscape of port-led development” on the Western coast.

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“We are connecting all ports with dedicated railway line and through Nagpur-Mumbai super express way. We are also working on dry ports in Jalna and Wardha and formed a joint venture for the biggest port at Wadhwan. These projects will accomplish the dream of port-led development,” Fadnavis said while speaking at the Maritime Summit 2016 on Friday.

According to the CM, the Nagpur-Mumbai super expressway which will connect 14 districts in Maharashtra to JNPT will be operational by 2019. “The entire super expressway will be developed as a special economic zone (SEZ),” Fadnavis said.

On the sidelines of the summit on Friday, the state government also signed eight new project MoUs worth Rs 18, 000 crore with various private and public sector firms.

Some of the MoUs include a pact between JNPT and MMTC to run Amphibian Bus for tourists, a Rs 1,640 crore investment pact with JSW Infrastructure to develop a captive jetty at Revdanda in Raigad and a deal with WB International Ltd for developing a floatel project in Mumbai to boost coastal tourism among others.

“We have also announced our new port policy with an emphasis on ease of doing business with which we aim for more investment here. If there is a right time to invest in ports, it is now and if there is a best destination to invest, it is Maharashtra,” Fadnavis said.
He added that the state government is keen to develop jetties, identify new green field sectors and modernise its ports and improve connectivity.

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According to him, the state will empower and give first right to those investors who come up with their own ideas and are ready to accomplish a project on their own initiative and efforts.